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Stephania Bell

  (11:06 AM)

Good morning Sports Nation: Tough week for QBs - and a few others. I see some of you are here and ready to go....

Mark (Bham, AL)

Great work as always! Really enjoy your chats. Whats the prognosis on Hasselbeck? Not that he's helped me much when healthy, but need to decide if its time to move on all together. Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:08 AM)

Good morning Mark: The team has not provided one - they're only saying that he's not available this week. But I would start making alternate plans. He is having weakness in his leg, which is a pretty strong indicator of nerve compromise. Inflammation or direct pressure from the bulging disc can then affect the function of the sciatic nerve. It does not just do a full 180 and recover. He will probably get a steroid injection along with other therapy, but this could linger for multiple weeks, even months. Best case scenario would be that he's back in a couple weeks - but I would be shocked - and if he's back that soon I'm doubting he's at full strength.

chris(dallas)

Any word on Seneca Wallace? As an Engram owner, I am very concerned about Charlie "French" Frye starting this week....Thanks.

Stephania Bell

  (11:10 AM)

Hi Chris: Staying with the Seattle theme. The Seahawks though Wallace was improving some after reinjuring his calf a while ago - and he was able to take some snaps in practice last week. If he can take more snaps this week and the calf continues to improve, then they will have him start. Should have a better idea by late in the week (like Thursday).

Cindy (San Fran)

Hi Stephania, Is it safe to drop Buckhalter or is there a chance that Westbrook isn't completely healed after his bye.

Stephania Bell

  (11:11 AM)

Hi CIndy: I fully expect Westbrook to be ready to go after the bye, but I think given that he's already missed time, and knowing the team goes to Buckhalter when Westbrook's out, I think he's a guy you should keep around, just in case.

DGA

What's the latest with Carson Palmer's elbow? I know he'll be out this week, but is it looking likely that he's done for the year?

Stephania Bell

  (11:13 AM)

DGA: Not known yet. I suspected immediately when he went to see Dr. Altchek that he would recommend some extended down time from throwing, which is what they do for pitchers with the same condition. The question is how long will that period be? Sounds like the Bengals and Palmer have not had that complete dialogue yet and they are considering two weeks, until after the 11/9 bye, or complete season shutdown. I expect it goes at least through 11/9 - that would be consistent with how long a pitcher is typically shut down for as a first trial.

Chris (Cleveland)

Now that Kellen Winslow is out of the hospital, should we expect him to be back on the field anytime soon? Thanks a bunch!

Stephania Bell

  (11:14 AM)

Chris: TOugh to say since we don't know exactly what he's recovering from. We do know that he was petitioning the doctors to try to play Monday but sensibly, he did not. THat makes me think that unless there is some sort of setback that he will be ready for this weekend.

Paul (Fl)

Good morning Stephania, any news of Addai's injury? is safe to play him this week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:16 AM)

Hi Paul: Not safe just yet. Tony Dungy said he though Joseph would "be OK" but there has been no further word out of Indy. Watch the practice reports closely - but often with hammies, they will rest them during the week, then test a little bit as it gets closer - so you may not know much until the latter portion of the week.

will (Washington, D.C.)

Hey good call on colston this past week. What is the verdict for week7? Close to a 100%?

Stephania Bell

  (11:17 AM)

Hi Will: THanks - he looked great in practice - it just seemed a little early as far as the overall healing process - a little risky. I think he COULD play this week - but want to see how much he does throughout the week. His original target date was London (which would be 1 more week) so I wouldn't be surprised if the team stuck with that - or played him a little this week before letting him really go in Week 8.

Trey (Austin, TX)

Also, how serious is the hamstring injury to Felix Jones, I'm wondering whether to hold onto him or not. Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:19 AM)

Hi Trey: Not a good injury to have. He has a partial tear of his left hamstring and word is that the injury is closer to the knee, more in the tendon, which tends not to heal as quickly (not as good a blood supply as the muscle itself). Also, tendons transfer all the contractile force of the muscle to the bone, so it has to be well healed to function effectively. The team is saying 2-4 weeks. I don't know the degree of the tear, but I would presume that it might be on the longer side of that.

Jared (CA)

Stephania: any word on Selvin Young's availability and effectiveness this weekend? Or am I better off starting Stewart/D.Williams?

Stephania Bell

  (11:21 AM)

Jared: No word yet - but Shanahan did say that he expected both Young and Scheffler to return for the Monday night game vs the Patriots. They do benefit from an extra day - but again, this will be something to watch and see what they're doing in practice. If not pracitcing at all by Thursday then I don't like their chances. My impression early on was thatScheffler's injury was more serious.

Ryan (Maryland)

Thanks for yet another chat, Starphania! The player on everyone's minds...Tony Romo. How long? Could he even miss a game or two AFTER Dallas' Week 10 bye?

Stephania Bell

  (11:24 AM)

Hi Ryan: Yes - he could - but it's also possible he could be back sooner. One of the things that hasn't been revealed is where the fracture is in the finger. If i's at the very tip, it could be a sooner recovery. If it's closer to the hand itself, then it gets more complicated - more tissues to get stiff, potentially harder to get that good function back and more influence on overall grip - if he's the type who scars a lot then it could be a little slower to come back. The 4 week projection seems pretty sound - but those are the factors that could send it either way.

Mike, Bradenton,Fl

Kitna to IR? Rumor has it...can you confirm?

Stephania Bell

  (11:26 AM)

Hi Mike: Just hearing it myself. It has been posted on one website, but is supposed to be announced later today. That means Orlovsky or Stanton.

Stephania Bell

  (11:27 AM)

BTW, the Kitna info was posted by a writer regularly assigned to the Lions, so yes, I do believe it.

Joel ( Roscommon MI)

Stephania, Does Galloway return this week ?

Stephania Bell

  (11:29 AM)

Joel: It's a possibility. One of my sources tells me he's still quite limited - but yet the team could use him. So he's another guy I think they want to see a lot more of in practice before they commit to using him.

Mark (San Diego)

Hey Starphania, What's Eddie Royal's status this week, do you think he's 100%?

Stephania Bell

  (11:32 AM)

Mark: Really hard to say early in the week that a guy who was out last week will be 100%. But they do have an extra day with it being a Monday night game, and then there's the fact that Stokley had a concussion (no word on his status) - so if he looks like he can function, he'll probably go. These bone bruises can be really painful and limiting though, so need to see that he can actually run.

Adam (LI)

Hi Stephania, Does it look like Chambers will return this week? If so, will he be a good play? Thanks

Stephania Bell

  (11:34 AM)

Adam: No word from San Diego yet. He made a point of saying he would not rush in October if not fully healthy - so he's another one that it will be very practice dependent.

Ken (Houston)

Good morning Stephania. Is Trent Edwards cleared to play this week? I need a bye-week filler to replace Kurt Warner. Thanks in advance.

Stephania Bell

  (11:36 AM)

Ken: The reports are that he is expected to play this Sunday. I have not yet seen confirmation that he has medical clearance to do so.He did practice Monday though which is a great sign. If he has no aftereffects (part of how they evaluate concussions is response to activity), then I would say it looks as if he's heading towards playing.

Paul (Warwick, RI)

How's Jeremy Shockey looking lately? When might be the earliest/latest we can expect him back?

Stephania Bell

  (11:39 AM)

Hi Paul: The official wordout of New ORleans is that Sean Payton wants to see how Shockey looks in practice before saying whether he'll play this week. Typically I would say 6 weeks on a sports hernia (minmum) but the team was projecting an early return for Shockey all along. This is just 3 weeks so I would not be surprised if he's out until London next week. He only practiced one day last week, then had to sit out the next two.

Erik (MN)

Stephania, what's the latest on Willie Parker? Is he ready to return at 100%?

Stephania Bell

  (11:41 AM)

Hi Erik: I think you will see fast Willie back - and the team's decision to hold him out was a good one. We have now learned that he had an MCL sprain - and as is typical with these things - the lateral movement was really a problem for him. He is eager to get back and should be solid.

Ed (Minnesota)

Stephania, you've mentioned Kitna...what about Calvin Johnson? Can he still play this weekend?

Stephania Bell

  (11:44 AM)

Hi Ed: ALl we really know is that he had blurry vision after taking that hit alst week, probably safe to call it a concussion. In any event, that will have to clear before he can practice, then he has to increase his activity. Day-to-day evaluation so even though he said he'd be all right, we realy can't confirm it just yet.

Bob (Madison, WI)

Any word on Kevin Smith's shoulder injury? I was planning on using him as a bye week replacement this week. Thanks!

Stephania Bell

  (11:45 AM)

Bob: the early word is that he has a "bruised shoulder" and that he expects to play. He will no doubt be limited in practice to avoid contact, but since he's not a QB, sounds like he'll be able to play through this one.

Greg (Alexandria, VA)

What happened to McGahee this weekend? Is he injured, or did Baltimore pull him out due to the score? If he's injured, what's the seriousness of the injury?

Stephania Bell

  (11:49 AM)

Greg: Lots of questions about McGahee but you really captured what everyone wants to know. Unfortunately we've gotten nothing yet. He walked off the field himself - always a good sign. Something was bothering him for him to exit, but no doubt the abuse they were taking meant that it made no sense to put him back in. Meanwhile, there is nothing to really report since - whether his knee or ribs got banged up again, or whether it's something new, don't know yet - but by Friday chat we should know. It's certainly not helping his chances of earning any overall increased playing time.

Jeremy (Miami)

Is there anything wrong with Leron McClain or did Baltimore just decide it was time to see what Ray Rice could do?

Stephania Bell

  (11:51 AM)

Jeremy: Le'Ron McClain was fine - they were mixing in Ray Rice to get him some playing time.

Matt (PA)

What is the news on Justin Gage?

Stephania Bell

  (11:53 AM)

Matt: SOunds like he'll play this week. He sat out two weeks b/c of his knee and there was no official diagnosis - he siad he did not know the technical term for his injury but knew that he didn't need surgery and fully expected to play against the Chiefs.

Fernando (Pembroke Pines)

Happy Tuesday Stephania! What's the deal with Boldin? Will he finally be back after the bye week? Will he have any physical setbacks?

Stephania Bell

  (11:55 AM)

Fernando: Boldin is expected back after the bye - and with the extra week of rest, I don't expect any setbacks based on the injury he had. Should be fully healed. The biggest thing for an athlete after a hit like that is having no fear going back on the field. He says he won't even think about it - so it sounds like he's ready to return.

jeff (nashville tn)

what the latest on brandon lloyd? do you think he will play this weekend?

Stephania Bell

  (11:56 AM)

Jeff: Unless he's made some miraculous progress over the weekend, I would plan on him being out this week. The word was that he was a 3-4 week injury when it happened, although the team said nothing official. He hasn't done much yet so I think he'll be out until after their bye week.

Dan (New York)

Dearest Stephania, Can you give an update on Deion Branch?

Stephania Bell

  (11:58 AM)

Hi Dan: Branch is expected to play this weekend according to reports out of Seattle. That said, we need to see him practice and show that he can do what he needs to before buying it 100%. I would say it looks likely, but you know how it goes...need to see what he does this week.

Bob (Philly)

I know that Tampa Fullback Storer is out for the year. Does this mean that Ernest Graham will be taking over FB for this week (and that I should start Warrick Dunn in his place)???

Stephania Bell

  (12:01 PM)

Bob: You're right Storer tore his ACL and is out. Askew still slowed by the HS so I suspect they try to sign another FB. I doubt Graham continues to play that role - but since TB plays Seattle this week, I would say both Graham and Dunn are good options (although Dunn probably slightly higher).

Bob (California)

Hi Stephania, will Curtis and Brown be ready after the bye?

Stephania Bell

  (12:04 PM)

Bob: I think it's safe to say Curtis will be. He has been fully practicing - to the extent that it looked like they might activate him this past week, but then they held off. Brown is a tougher call b/c we have not heard the severity - but consider that this is his 3rd soft tissue injury this year and he really has only been healthy for two weeks. He is the much bigger question mark.

Mike (Chicago)

Stephania please before you leave - any updates on Big Ben for this week? Thanks a bunch!!

Stephania Bell

  (12:06 PM)

Mike: Sometimes no news is good news. There's not been much mention of him yet this week -and he needed the bye to alllow his pain to calm down. He probably could use 3-4 weeks rest to truly get fully healthy, but he has no doubt improved and will no doubt play.

Stephania Bell

  (12:07 PM)

OK everyone - time for me to go. Thanks for coming. We'll do it again Friday morning! Have a good week.